Android Pentesting Approach and Checklist | Android Application Security Audit

Android pentesting (penetration testing) is the process of testing the security of Android applications, devices, and systems. The goal of Android pentesting is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause harm.

Android pentesting (short for Android penetration testing) is the process of evaluating the security of Android applications and devices by identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Android is the most widely used mobile operating system, making it a popular target for hackers looking to steal personal information or compromise the security of an organization.

Android pentesting involves a variety of techniques, including static and dynamic analysis, reverse engineering, runtime analysis, and exploitation of vulnerabilities. The goal of Android pentesting is to identify security weaknesses in an application or device and provide recommendations for remediation to improve its security posture.

Here is a checklist for an Android pentesting approach:

1. Reconnaissance: Collect information about the target application, device or system. This includes identifying the Android version, device model, and OS version, as well as the applications installed and their version numbers.
2. Static Analysis: Perform static analysis of the Android application’s code and binaries to identify vulnerabilities. Tools like Apktool, dex2jar, and JADX can be used for this purpose.
3. Dynamic Analysis: Perform dynamic analysis of the application by running it on an emulator or physical device and using tools like Burp Suite, Charles Proxy, and Wireshark to intercept and analyze network traffic.
4. Exploitation: Attempt to exploit vulnerabilities found during the static and dynamic analysis phases using tools like Metasploit and other exploit frameworks.
5. Post-Exploitation: Once a successful exploit has been achieved, attempt to escalate privileges and maintain access to the device or system.
6. Reporting: Document the findings of the Android pentesting process in a detailed report that includes the vulnerabilities found, their impact, and recommended remediation steps.

Here are some additional items to consider in an Android pentesting checklist:

• Check for insecure communication channels (unencrypted traffic, use of HTTP instead of HTTPS).
• Test for local storage vulnerabilities (data leakage, unsecured file storage).
• Review the app’s permissions to determine if any are unnecessary or overly permissive.
• Evaluate the app’s session management and authentication mechanisms.
• Test for SQL injection vulnerabilities and other forms of injection attacks.
• Look for insecure data storage, such as storing sensitive information in plaintext or weakly encrypted format.
• Test for denial of service (DoS) vulnerabilities.
• Evaluate the app’s cryptographic controls, such as the use of SSL/TLS or encryption algorithms.

Overall, Android pentesting is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a thorough understanding of the Android platform, as well as knowledge of common vulnerabilities and attack techniques. By following a structured approach and using a variety of tools and techniques, pentesters can identify and mitigate security risks in Android applications and systems.

Here is a checklist for Android application penetration testing:

Information gathering:

• Obtain the APK file of the application.
• Identify the version of Android the application runs on.
• Identify the device hardware and software requirements.

Static analysis:

• Use a tool like JADX or dex2jar to decompile the APK file.
• Review the source code and manifest file to identify sensitive data, permissions, and APIs.
• Check if the application has implemented proper input validation, error handling, and authentication mechanisms.

Dynamic analysis:

• Use a tool like Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to intercept and modify the application’s traffic.
• Test for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and insecure storage.
• Check if the application has implemented secure communication mechanisms like SSL/TLS.

Reverse engineering:

• Use a tool like Apktool to reverse engineer the APK file and obtain the application’s source code and resources.
• Analyze the application’s code and assets for sensitive data, hardcoded keys, and obfuscation techniques.

Runtime analysis:

• Use a tool like Frida or Xposed to hook into the application’s runtime and intercept function calls.
• Test for vulnerabilities like code injection, buffer overflows, and privilege escalation.
• Check if the application has implemented anti-debugging or anti-tampering measures.

Reporting:

• Document all vulnerabilities and their severity.
• Provide remediation steps and recommendations for improving the application’s security posture.
• Validate the fixes by retesting the application.
• Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is always important to stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and techniques.